Pakistan Starts Treason Probe Against Musharraf

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered officials to begin a treason investigation of former president Pervez Musharraf, who seized power from him in a 1999 military coup.

Mr. Sharif said Wednesday that his government would create a special team to investigate the former Pakistani military chief.

The government could file a complaint against Mr. Musharraf after the team completes its probe.

On Monday, President Sharif told the country's parliament that he intends to put the retired general on trial for treason for suspending the constitution while in power.

Mr. Musharraf's spokesman called the Pakistani president's announcement "reckless and ill-conceived," and said the move was designed to distract Pakistan from more pressing issues.

Mr. Musharraf ruled for nearly a decade after seizing power, stepping down in 2008. He later fled into exile.

He returned to Pakistan in March and tried to stand in the May general election, but was barred from running.

Mr. Musharraf is also being investigated for allegedly playing a role in the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He has been accused of failing to provide adequate security to Bhutto, who was gunned down in a 2007 political rally.